In my 7th grade life science classroom, one concept resurfaces: the cycling of matter. Whether we are exploring photosynthesis, cellular respiration, the phosphorus or nitrogen cycles, or the role of decomposers, my students are constantly encountering examples of how matter moves through ecosystems. Even the simple fact that all living organisms exchange gases with their environment reinforces the law of conservation of matter. This principle—deeply rooted in physics—is foundational to truly understanding biology.
To help my students see the interconnectedness of physical and life sciences and prepare them for a highly technical, global workforce, I have searched for 21st-century learning tools that blend science literacy, collaboration, and real-world inquiry. Below are online tools for reinforcing the physics concept of conservation of matter within the context of biological cycles:
Technology Tools:
PhET Simulation: Balancing Chemical Equations
🔗 https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/balancing-chemical-equations
HHMI Biointeractive: Carbon Cycle Game
🔗 https://www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources/carbon-cycle-game
NASA’s Climate Kids – The Nitrogen Cycle
🔗 https://climatekids.nasa.gov/nitrogen-cycle/
Mystery Science: What Happens to Our Garbage?
🔗 https://mysteryscience.com/